Not to sound like the kind of two a.m. infomercial you watch through exhausted braindead eyes, but the type of pillow you use really can make or break your quality of sleep. This is especially true when you tend to stick to one sleeping position. The best pillows for any position is a topic that’s really worth looking into, specifically if you’re trying to sleep comfortably on your side, stop neck pain while sleeping on your back, or actually breathe while sleeping on your stomach. All you need to do is find the right pillow based on your sleep style, and you’ll be dead asleep way before those shamefully bad infomercials even air.
While people tend to assume that a pillow is nothing more than a rectangle stuffed with feathers, the shape, material, density, and volume of your pillow actually does matter depending on how you lay in bed at night. If you sleep on your side, you’ll need something that supports your neck without killing your ear, shoulder, and arm. If you feel most comfortable sleeping on your back, your spine has to be adequately supported, and if you tend to end up face down on your stomach, suffocation is a valid fear. Check out these best-selling pillows for whichever position suits you.
Side Sleepers
Contour Memory Foam Bed Pillow for Side Sleepers, $54, Amazon
This heart-shaped contour memory foam bed pillow is filled with supportive memory foam that cradles your neck, but it’s ideal for side sleepers because of the four different angles and densities that also accommodate your arm, shoulder, and head while you’re lying on your side. It relieves pressure while allowing for proper spine alignment, and it’s made from hypoallergenic fabric.
The Womfy Side Sleeper Pillow, $70, Amazon
This intriguing-looking Womfy side sleeper pillow has some pretty cool features, like earholes, a spine-alignment curve, and anti-compression contours to make sure that the pillow won’t press against your face at any uncomfortable angles. The case is made from soft and breathable bamboo jersey, and the pillow itself has gel and memory foam for the most comfortable rest ever.
Sleep Yoga Side Sleeper Arm Rest Posture Pillow, $54, Amazon
Tired of the pins and needles in your arm when you wake up in the morning? This Sleep Yoga side sleeper arm rest Posture Pillow is actually meant to cradle your arm while you sleep on your side, in order to improve your posture, protect your shoulder joint, and keep you extra-comfortable during the night. It’s hypoallergenic and made by chiropractors.
Back Sleepers
CNBEYOUNG Arched Side Design Memory Foam Pillow, $49, Amazon
The CNBEYOUNG arched side design memory foam pillow is especially innovative because of the indentation that promotes a healthy curvature of your spine while sleeping on your back, because your neck is adequately supported. It also helps to prevent snoring and sleep apnea, and it’s made from a lightweight and comfortable material that keeps you cool in the summer and cozy in the winter.
Ollieroo Super Soft Neck Support Pillow, $20, Amazon
This one was originally created as a travel pillow, but tons of people have moved it into the bedroom and refuse to use anything else. The Ollieroo super soft neck support pillow is soft but firm, and curves to the shape of your neck and head while you’re lying on your back. People with herniated discs and neck injuries even say it’s the most comfortable pillow they’ve owned, and they love the combination of molded memory foam and gel.
Stomach Sleepers
Perfect Cloud Diamond Rest Gel Pillow, $60, Amazon
If you sleep face down on your stomach, the Perfect Cloud gel pillow is an awesome option because it’s lightweight and breathable. Not only is it made from hypoallergenic fabric, but it’s got ventilation holes in the fabric and gusset siding that allows for extra air flow. It also changes shape as you move around during the night, so you no longer have to wake up to lines on your face.
Ultra Slim Sleeper Memory Foam Pillow, $58, Amazon
The biggest issue for stomach sleepers is often the volume of their pillows, which elevate the head too high and irritate the spine. The Ultra Slim Sleeper memory foam pillow is really thin; it’s flat on one side and curved on the other, but it still offers adequate support with comfortable memory foam. It’s also hypoallergenic, anti-dust mite, and anti-microbial, so breathing won’t be affected.
All Of The Above
Adjustable Shredded Memory Foam Pillow, $53, Amazon
If you just keep rolling over during the night, this adjustable shredded memory foam pillow is great for any position you could imagine. It’s got nearly ten thousand reviews because it’s fully adjustable; you can add or remove the shredded memory foam to create your ideal height and density, and it’s made partially from bamboo viscose, so it’s both ridiculously soft and unbelievably breathable.
SNUZ Ergonomic Bed Pillow, $40, Amazon
The hourglass design of the SNUZ ergonomic bed pillow makes this one another great option for side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers alike. It cradles your body no matter what angle you sleep at, as it either provides support for your neck, an indentation for your ear, or breathing room for your face, so no position is uncomfortable during the night.
Don't Forget To Cover Your Pillow, Too
Fishers Finery 100% Pure Silk Pillowcase, $18, Amazon
Using a silk pillowcase can be less stressful to your hair and skin than the scratchy cotton alternative you may have at home. This one is available in nine colors to match whatever sheet sets you're working with, and reviewers are saying they now wake up without tangles. Plus, the silk will keep you cool and comfortable while you sleep.
Images: Unsplash/Pexels; Amazon (10)
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